FCAT Explorer

FCAT Explorer

From the Florida Department of Education www.fcatexplorer.com

Galactic Library: 3

rd

Grade Benchmarks Program Overview

FCAT Explorer

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

Interactive program offers practice on the FCAT tested benchmarks Reinforces reading comprehension skills Available at no cost to all Florida public schools Accessible from any computer connected to the Internet

Leaping Lemurs

FCAT Explorer

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks Fidelity with the Official FCAT

Strict adherence to the

Sunshine State Standards

and the DOE’s

Test Item & Performance Task Specifications

Rigorous item development process  Items drafted by reading teachers and professional item writers  Items reviewed by instructional designers, testing specialists, bias reviewers, and professional editors

The Wind Cars of China

FCAT Explorer

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks Input from Exemplary Education Professionals Highly-qualified classroom teachers

 Recommended for expertise in subject area and grade level  National Board Certified  Recipients of Teacher of the Year awards  Experienced as FCAT Coach and/or Reading Coach  Masters Degrees

FCAT Explorer

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

The Galactic Library’s Adaptive Support Model

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Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks Adaptive Support Model INDIVIDUALIZED ADAPTIVE SUPPORT

Automatically adjusts

readability

level and

instructional support

level based on student’s success with practice questions Materials at both levels derived from

3 rd grade benchmarks

only difference is

readability

Amazing Spider Webs Scalloping

FCAT Explorer

Adaptive Support Model 1. ADAPTIVE READING LEVEL

When student struggles at 3 rd grade level, program moves to 2 nd grade level When student succeeds at 2 nd grade level, program seamlessly moves back to 3 rd grade Same 3 rd grade benchmarks at both levels only difference is readability

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

Rabbit’s Tug-of-War

2 nd grade readability level

Mapmaking

3 rd grade readability level

FCAT Explorer

Adaptive Support Model 2. ADAPTIVE SUPPORT LEVEL

Three levels for both sets of materials Full Support: 

Word Click

: Click to hear any word 

Embedded questions

: Interim comprehension checks Moderate Support: Embedded questions only No Support: Neither

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

FCAT Explorer

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

Passages and Practice Items

FCAT Explorer

FCAT-like Practice PASSAGES

Same average length and reading level as the FCAT Same genres: poems, plays, articles and stories Engaging illustrations reinforce important ideas

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

FCAT Explorer

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks FCAT-like Practice PRACTICE ITEMS Rigorous item development process

 Written by professional item writers  Reviewed, edited and approved by teachers  Revised as needed based on statistical item analysis

Same average number of items per passage as on the FCAT

 Number of items per skill based on teacher recommendation for struggling readers  No fewer than 5 items per skill  From 5 to 50 items per Benchmark

Same types of items as on the FCAT

FCAT Explorer

FCAT-like Practice MULTIPLE CHOICE (MC)

Careful review of every item for psychometric criteria Item clearly

supports the skill

All answer choices are

parallel

(e.g., in grammatical form) Only

plausible

choices One “

clearly best

” answer Correct answer supported

in the text Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

Vocabulary question Comprehension question

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Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

Instructional Support

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Instructional Support 1 ST ATTEMPT CORRECT

Congratulations! Correct Answer Explanation (CAE)  Confirms the attributes that make an answer correct  Reinforces effective skill application

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

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Instructional Support 1 ST ATTEMPT INCORRECT

Hint (for vocabulary questions) See Clues (for comprehension questions)  Takes student back to passage  Student reviews highlighted clues

See Clues

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

Hint

FCAT Explorer

Instructional Support 2 nd ATTEMPT

For

CORRECT

answer, CAE confirms and reinforces effective skill application For

INCORRECT

answer, CAE helps student understand

why

the correct answer is correct

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

FCAT Explorer

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

Special Features

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Special Features FLUENCY LIST

Glossary & Vocabulary Exercise words Easy-to-use chart for recording progress Effective pre-reading activity Available from School Administrator’s Desk and Classroom Teacher’s Desk

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

FCAT Explorer

Special Features VOCABULARY EXERCISES

Precede each passage Teach five potentially challenging words  Word recognition  Phonics  Definition  Meaning in context Engage students and increase confidence & success

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

Syllables appear in dynamic “visual beat” If student selects incorrect answer, correct answer flashes Review of all five words

FCAT Explorer

Special Features “PURPOSE FOR READING” STRATEGIES

Purpose for Reading statements precede each passage to help establish good comprehension habits “See Questions” feature allows students to preview item stems (not answer choices)

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

Purpose for Reading statement Click “See Questions” icon (magnifying glass)

FCAT Explorer

Special Features GLOSSARY

Click linked (blue) words in passage Click “ear icon” to hear word pronounced Word spelled & in syllables Definition & sample sentence Spanish and Haitian Creole translations

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

Student can click the word

hundreds

to go to that Glossary entry

FCAT Explorer

Special Features “SEE CLUES”

Reinforces re-reading the passage to find correct answer Student must go to every page containing clues related to that question After going to every page with relevant clues, student gets second attempt

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

FCAT Explorer

Special Features MY CHALLENGE LIST

Links directly to items answered incorrectly Helps students focus on skill improvement Accessible through the Planet Room —just click the red circles to try a question again!

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

FCAT Explorer

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

Motivational Features

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Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks Motivational Features ANIMATED CHARACTERS

Characters accompany students on a mission Students earn animated “pleasure reading” selections by completing items

Eureka Melville Captain Frog Hopkins Wordsworth

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Motivational Features VOCABULARY ACTIVITIES

Four different game-like activities Each activity reviews words from one set of Vocabulary Exercises

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

Space Stories Word Wall Asteroid Blasteroid Space Words

FCAT Explorer

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

Educators’ Tools

FCAT Explorer

Educators’ Tools Curriculum resources

 Skills Location Map  Table of Benchmarks and Skills  Item Review  Letter to Parents

Information management tools

 Sign-in names and passwords  Progress Reports  Messages to students

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

Classroom Teacher’s Desk School Administrator’s Desk District Administrator’s Desk

FCAT Explorer

Student Performance Reports

At the

Classroom Teacher’s Desk

Check progress on individuals or classes View reading data by Benchmark, Skill, or Passage View math data by Benchmark, Strand, or Theme View Science data by Benchmark or Strand Compare percentage correct before and after instructional support

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

FCAT Explorer

The Parent & Family Guide

Accessible from the home page without a password Available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole Helps parents, guardians, and mentors understand the Sunshine State Standards and the FCAT Provides

Everyday Activities

to reinforce Benchmarks and Skills

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

FCAT Explorer

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks Visit the Educator Resources Page

Linked from the home page Download this PowerPoint presentation Download the School Administrator’s Desk Manual Download the Teacher’s Desk Manual Download other presentations  Reading Focus Overview  Math Focus Overview  Program-specific presentations

FCAT Explorer

To get sign-in names & passwords School Principals

: Contact your District Office and speak to the “District Administrator” for the FCAT Explorer

Teachers

: Contact your “School Administrator” for the FCAT Explorer

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

FCAT Explorer Home Page (www.fcatexplorer.com)

FCAT Explorer

Toll-Free Help Desk

Accessible from the home page without a password

1-888-750-FCAT

1-888-750-3228 Weekdays 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks

FCAT Explorer www.fcatexplorer.com

Log on to the FCAT Explorer!

Galactic Library: 3 rd Grade Benchmarks